Brenda Paxton is a third grade teacher at Verona Elementary School.

She is WHSV's Golden Apple Award Winner this month, nominated by Crissy Gentry. Paxton has been a teacher for 39 years and is very passionate about her job.

Her student, Joseph Reilly, says, "She is a good teacher. I could not ask for a better one."

This brought tears to Paxton's eyes. The admiration between the teacher and student was strong.

Another student, Brianna Perdue, states, "My teacher is great. She makes sure you learn."

Brianna does not want any other teacher. She is perfectly happy with Paxton. Brianna also says she loves waking up every morning, knowing that she has class with Paxton.

Paxton says her favorite part about her job is seeing the "light go on" when her students learn.

She states, "When they actually say 'Aha. I understand now.' That's the best part."

According to her students, Joseph and Brianna, Paxton is more than a teacher who teaches Math, Science, English, and all the essential subjects taught in school. They say she teaches them how to care and behave towards their classmates.

Joseph says Paxton teaches them that apologizing is a good thing and that one should never say anything that can hurt someone's feelings.

Brianna says her teacher is simply the "best."